Arm Lift

Arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure to reshape and contour the upper arm area. Dr. Rohrich performs arm lifts at both his Dallas office at the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, and at the Outpatient Building at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Contouring and reshaping the arms is a somewhat complex topic with a wide variety of possible procedures depending on many factors. There is significant variation from one person to the next in how the arms might respond to weight loss and aging.

Dr. Rohrich uses an algorithmic approach to determine which procedure will be best for your specific case. This approach considers many factors of your arms and your medical history including:

Your goals and expectations

Your arm skin elasticity

Amount of fatty tissue in the arm

Location of loose skin

Amount of weight loss

Age, lifestyle, and overall health

The information provided is a general overview of arm lift surgery. Each of the types listed here have many variations as brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a diverse and innovative procedure. The best thing to do is come in to Dr. Rohrich’s Dallas based office for a consultation and have Dr. Rohrich examine you and determine the details of an arm lift and which one will work best for you.

Liposuction Only Arm Contouring

While not technically an arm lift, arm contouring using ultrasound assisted or saline assisted liposuction is a safe and effective way to achieve some of the best results that an arm lift could offer with a very small incision. This procedure does not work for everyone and relies on good skin elasticity. For younger patients with very little to no loose skin on the arms, good skin elasticity and moderate fatty tissue, this might be the best arm lift procedure.

Advantages of UAL/SAL Arm Contouring:

Very small hidden incision

Very small scar

Short recovery time

Outpatient procedure

Best Candidates for UAL/SAL Arm Contouring:

Younger

Good skin elasticity

Little loose, crepe like skin

Moderate amounts of fatty tissue

Complementary Clothing:

Most any tops as the incision is so small

Hidden Arm Lift

The hidden arm lift, also known as a limited incision brachioplasty, is best for patients that have loose, crepe-like skin in the lower inner arm area near the arm pit and do not have too much extra fatty tissue.

The Hidden Inner Arm Lift is a less invasive procedure where the scar can be hidden in the crease of the underarm and is complemented with contouring of the arm using liposuction.

Advantages of Hidden Arm Lift:

Small incision and scar

Scar is hidden in crease of the arm

Outpatient procedure

No drains necessary

Short recovery

Work and daily activity within 3 days

Arm exercises within weeks

Best Candidates for Hidden Arm Lift:

Moderate amounts of fatty tissue

Loose skin in the upper inner arm area

Weight loss of 50 pounds or less

Complementary Clothing for Hidden Arm Lift:

Sleeveless Tops

Short sleeved Shirts

Traditional Arm Lift

If the back of the arm has both extra fat and loose skin that goes from your armpit to the elbow you may be a candidate for a more traditional type of arm lift. In a traditional brachioplasty, the incision is made on the underside of the arm to remove excess skin and fatty tissue.

There are many different types of arm lifts in the traditional category depending on your specific circumstances. Liposuction can sometimes be used to help contour the arms and the chest wall under the arms.

Advantages of Traditional Brachioplasty

Able to address larger areas of loose skin

Able to address areas on the upper arm

Best Candidates for Traditional Brachioplasty:

Weight loss of 50 pounds or more

Moderate to high amounts of fatty tissue

Excess skin on entire upper arm

Minimal excess skin on chest wall

Complementary Clothing for Traditional Brachioplasty:

Elbow length sleeved shirts

Some short sleeved tops

Extended Arm Lift

An extended arm lift is similar to a traditional arm except that the incision is extended along the arm down to the body to address loose skin and fatty tissue that might be just under the arm area along the side of the chest wall. Having loose skin in that area is a common issue with massive weight loss patients.

Advantages of Extended Brachioplasty:

Able to address loose skin and excess fat on side of chest wall

Able to address larger areas of loose skin

Able to address areas on the upper arm

Best Candidates for Extended Brachioplasty:

Excess skin on entire upper arm

Excess skin on side of chest wall

Complementary Clothing for Extended Brachioplasty:

Elbow length sleeved shirts

Some short sleeved shirts

Connect with Dr. Rohrich…

Dr. Rohrich at a Glance

Dr. Rod J. Rohrich is Dallas plastic surgeon and Professor of Plastic Surgery at the Department of Plastic Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Rohrich is an internationally renowned expert in plastic surgery and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the best plastic surgeons in America. He has also been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, and Good Morning America. Dr. Rohrich has a unique artistic skill in restoring youthfulness and definition to the human face and body.

Past President: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Past President: The Rhinoplasty Society

Editor-in-Chief: Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Chair: Dallas Rhinoplasty Symposium

3 time Recipient of Plastic Surgery Foundation Distinguished service Award